Christmas Decorations

We finally decided to get out the Christmas tree and decorations. Kevin hauled everything up from the basement while I scooted the furniture in the living to make room for the tree. I don't mind the getting out and putting up....its the take down and putting away that I hate.

We do have some cute decorations including a giant snowman on the front door, a mini-tree centerpiece and christmas dishes for the table, some nice embroided stockings on the mantle, and some oh-so-warm flannel Chritmas sheets and duvet cover for our bed!! I think it came together quite nicely.

Merry Christmas!!!

Girls Night Out

Last night was a Girls Night Out down on the Plaza. The plaza area was really busy, the holiday lights were gorgeous and we had a lot of fun at O'Dowds. It was great to see some old friends and to meet some new girls!


Stacie, Melissa, and Stephanie
Stephanie and Jackie
Candance...shows us your moves! :)
Jackie and Melissa

Mom, Dad, Grandpa and Mildred Visit KC!

Mom, Dad, Grandpa and Mildred came to visit this past weekend. We had a wonderful time and we're really happy Grandpa and Mildred made the trip! They got to see our new house and my parents graciously drove them here for the visit. We took everyone to Stroud's, which is a restaurant here in KC that has AWESOME fried chicken. They serve family style and bring you enough to feed an army! And they end your meal with awesome cinnamon rolls! We were all so stuffed by the time we were finished, you practically had to roll us out of the restaurant.

There was an unfortunate incident in which my father fell down the stairs.....if only I had a picture of that! HA HA! I do have to admit he recovered very quickly for being an old man! :) :) We had such a great time...definitely a weekend to remember! Love you all!

Kitchen Project with Lori and Nana

I spent the day with my mother-in-law, Lori, and Nana, who helped me decorate the top of my cabinets. They have been an eyesore since we moved in. The tops of the cabinets are very visible when you are walking downstairs and were completely bare. I have desperately been wanting to get them decorated. Lori and Nana are both wonderful in the decorating department so I had to enlist their help. It took 2 trips to Hobby Lobby and the entire day but we finished them and it turned out AWESOME!!! The pictures do not do it justice so I can't wait for everyone to see it in person. Many thanks to Lori and Nana for their help and love!

Finally....House Pictures!!!

Here are some pictures of our new house. The past month has been so busy but I think we are finally settled in Liberty. You're welcome to stay with us anytime!

Kitchen

Dining Room
Living Room (FYI - The portrait above the fireplace was hand painted by Kevin's grandmother...it is absolutely the most precious, valuable thing we will ever own.)
Computer Room
Built - in Bookcase
Spare Bedroom #2 aka The Blue Room
Spare Full Bathroom
Spare Bedroom #1 aka The Silver Room
Master Bedroom
Master Bedroom
Master Bathroom
Master Bathroom
Master Bathroom
Master Closet

Master Closet

New House in Liberty!!!

We officially closed on our house in Liberty yesterday!!! We got the keys and starting moving boxes. Derick, my mom, Kevin, and I also spent some quality time in the bathroom!! LOL! Much love and many thanks to my mom and Derick for helping us take the dreaded wallpaper in the master bathroom down so we can paint! It's going to be a busy, busy week but I just wanted to share our first picture of the house. My mom is down for the week and will be painting, painting, painting!!! More pictures will follow once we're settled in.




P.S. Everyone, please pray that we will sell our place in Lees Summit soon!

Another year older.....

We celebrated Kevin's 32nd birthday on Saturday, Sept. 19th. We had dinner at McCormick & Schmick's down at the Country Club Plaza. It's one of our favorite places to eat and of course we went all out...appetizer, salads, entrees, dessert, and drinks. Kevin ordered the Mako Shark and I had the Mahi Mahi special. Both were delicious!! We received great service and had an exceptionally good waiter. We celebrated with Kevin's brother, Scott, and his wife, Jenny.


I got Kevin one of the new 5th Generation iPods. Scott and Jenny got him a new computer game, and Lori and Mike got him 2 new games for his PlayStation3. He definitely scored some nice loot!! Ha ha :)

It was so nice to have a night out and have fun...we have been so busy house hunting, then house buying, and now the dreaded house moving!!! In a couple weeks though, we'll be able to relax in our new house in Liberty. We can't wait!!

Fortney Hayride '09

We went to Kirksville for the weekend in order to attend Nicholas' birthday party. The first thing we saw upon our arrival was horses crossing Baltimore...I knew I was home! :)


Trampoline fun with the kids!

Sister, Aunt Barbara, Aunt Carol, and Susan
Nick's birthday cake while it's still pretty.
Time to eat!



Kevin thought this was rather appropriate!! ha ha
Dad and Grandpa
Carrie and Nick
Zoey, Millie, and Aunt Donna

Mom and Susan thought they were so clever on this picture!
Dad, Stephanie, and Kevin
Time for presents! First up....a basketball goal
Next....his very own 4-wheeler!!


Time for the hayride! Little did we know how the hayride would end...ha ha






Yes....you are seeing the picture right....we are now in trucks. The hayride was not so smooth when we had a tire fall off! We had to be rescued by trucks!! So half hayride/half truck ride. And much to Nick's disappointment the trucks did not take us to Dairy Queen! LOL! :)